Demand more good.

Category Archives: CSR

A blogblast follows…Please enjoy this mini-series of updates with embarrasingly thin attempt at a narrative.

Almost terrifyingly, the 2030hub is already a thriving ecosystem three months after the doors opened. I wish we had a camera on the wall to live-share the diversity of the connections made, the incredible conversations happening every single day now and the life-changing projects being nurtured. As Liverpool’s Global Goals supernova we appear to be creating a gravity even Stephen Hawking would struggle to define. Spacetime is bent after all. We can see it now. It bends when great people from amazing organisations begin to convene away from silos and buzzwords and focus on impact not semantics.

I always knew the UN Sustainable Development Goals had potential as a universal language but for the first time in way over a professional decade or two it genuinely feels like we are at the start of a step-change moment. I say none of this lightly. As a long time witness to the next big thing, ranking, standard, guidance or award I became numb to the nothingness of each as the launch razzmatazz passed. The UN SDGs appear to be spinning this process on its head. Two years in still most people haven’t heard of them, but I think they will. I think everybody will.

The acknowledgement of interconnectedness between goals, the communications approach, the focus on finance, the focus also on the developed world, but most of all the direction of travel towards a city-based movement will without doubt change the world.

We love BCorp

I am now a proudB Leader. The 2030hub is progressing our own application for Pending BCorp status, we have our first BCorp workshop planned (see above) and we are determined to be THE northern powerhouse for this wonderful laterally disruptive perspective on business as a force for social good.

I’ve roasted Apple (should that be baked?) many times, especially during the Steve Jobs era, but I had a feeling that Tim Cook would take a very different approach to sustainability. His supply chain background almost dictated it.

So, without further ado, here is Apple’s latest effort to use its brand for good, and that matters. It really matters. Watch the videos and then read why it meant so much to me.

Not your usual Apple slick, minimalistic, polished marketing advert!

Apple were the epitome of laggards, hiding away from disclosure or action whilst they focused on selling as many of their beautiful innovative tech toys as possible. Nothing new about that. Countless business still take that approach. Probably most businesses in all honesty.

But, Apple were and are one of the biggest mainstream brands in the world, with the accompanying leadership position that should elevate any authentically responsible business to push sustainability not only through their own operation and products, but also their widest sphere of influence including their customers and fans.

Five years ago I wrote a blog hoping, and predicting Tim Cook’s appointment would be a catalyst for change. Such a change was always going to take time. One tweak here, a new appointment there, a commitment to solar, a video celebrating diversity and now this. (notice I omitted Liam the recycling robot – Apple’s Howard the Duck moment)

The video above feels like a milestone moment because it shows Apple is now comfortable enough to be creative and step away from brand norms – which is very out of character – and bold. We desperately need more bold. The work has been done internally and my new hope is that this video is the start of a confident new leadership brand in the sustainability space, or should that be iSustainability?

The biggest challenge of our time is convincing the non-usual suspects to look at the issues people like me call sustainability in a way possibly only Apple could do, to change behaviour at scale.

Congratulations Tim Cook, Lisa Jackson et al, your mark has been made, but how high can you go?

For International Women’s Day I wanted to share a handful of true leaders constantly on my professional radar through their bold, innovative, considered, and wise inspiration.

There’s no science to this list, just stand-out impact creators from across a range of CSR and sustainability related organisations that I see constantly challenging, shaping and changing the world of male dominated business and political leaders.

Change is hard. Change is not equal. Change is eternal. Change is essential.

Today I salute you all, and also the many, many other unsung women leaders fighting inequality in all its forms not hightlighted below.

I can’t possibly provide justice to this group’s achievements, passions or skills in a couple of sentences, so there are plenty of links to their LinkedIn profiles, Twitter accounts and main websites to find out more.

As a leader within Ritz Carlton Hotels Sue was responsible for the incredibly successful Community Footprints programme before stepping toward a new challenge as Vice Chair of IMPACT 2030, connecting the private sector to the Sustainable Development Goals through human capital investment.

Elaine is the undisputed go-to-person of CSR / sustainability reporting. If that wasn’t enough her pragmatic and outspoken personality combined with a love for ice-cream should be reasons enough to keep her blog especially on your watch list.

There aren’t many people more to the point than Cindy. “I like to blow shit up. I am the Michael Bay of business.” she delicately suggests on her LinkedIn profile. The world needs more of this bluntness. Founder & CEO of IfWeRanTheWorld, Cindy uncompromisingly blends purpose, brand and impact – and wonderfully regular profanity.

Susan has been a constant powerful voice across the responsible business spectrum. Now as Founder of McPherson Strategies, and previously with roles at Fenton and PR Newswire Susan invests, connects and amplifies a whole community including her famous #CSRchats on Twitter.

A truly inspirational force of nature as an award-winning designer, artist, entrepreneur and innovator across the space and sustainability industries. As Co-Founder of the Thames Deckway concept Anna recently won praise as an Innovate UK Women in Innovation.

After over a generation at pharmaceutical giants of innovative responsibility Novo Nordisk, Lise then grabbed the reins as leader of the UN Global Compact with an audience of over 13,000 private sector signatories and partners. Also a very new arrival on a fun platform called Twitter.

After a maybe not so obvious career switch from sailing to pushing circular economy thought leadership through the Ellen MacArthur Foundation she has dramatically driven awareness and understanding of one of the most crucial elements of all future business models.

A true font of knowledge on all things corporate governance, ethics and leadership. Lucy is the Founder and CEO of Marcus Venture Consulting whilst also regular contributing to numerous media outlets including Reuters and the BBC. If you want a better Executive Board, and therefore a better business, ask Lucy.

As a long-time supporter of some of history’s true leaders Nadine is a global expert in engagement leadership, mentoring and executive coaching, working at the highest levels of state, multinational business and academia. As CEO of beCause Global Consulting she also convenes a powerful community of collaborative expertise.

Andrea is one of my favourite sources of best practice for leaders using social media to amplify and deepen their engagement and reach. An exceptional influencer specialist through her consultancy Learned On.

KoAnn is Founder and Chief Executive of Sustainable Life Media, the company behind the Sustainable Brands calendar of international conferences and community. Each event is a continual source of innovative concepts and practical best practice across the responsible business spectrum.

A quick post to share a great video for a world where entrepreneurship is on its way to becoming as prevalent and appealing as the great employed masses.

I have often waxed lyrical about the strengths of entrepreneurialism in smaller business or corporations alike, but business for the sake of business isn’t what we should be aiming for.

Yes, jobs and wealth generation are the essential to stable functioning economies but with the environmental and social storms on the horizon, we need to be demanding more from any new businesses not already ingrained in an outdated carbon intensive, fuck you world I want a yacht mentality.

Entrepreneurship is wonderful but we, and I mean Google in particular, as they should know better (they know everything don’t they?) should be taking the leadership role by seeding all new businesses with the additional knowledge of a world just over the start up launch day party horizon.

“Volunteerism is a source of community strength, resilience, solidarity and social cohesion. It brings positive social change by fostering respect for diversity, equality and the participation of all. It is among society’s most vital assets.”

Ban Ki-Moon

In case you hadn’t noticed, we are 12 months in from the launch of the Sustainable Development Goals. This week is #GlobalGoals (a much better brand to reach the great unengaged audience we need) week as the UN General Assembly gets underway and year two of fifteen toward 2030 begins.

Recently I reached out to one promising initiative aligned to a pet project back in Liverpool. The reason I reached out to IMPACT 2030was primarily for one key reason. It is private sector led. Whilst UN backed this is the business world rapidly coalescing from their own acceptance of responsibility and ability to lead. There are a whole host of reasons to explore IMPACT 2030, but for me when the private sector steps up, stuff gets done. Admittedly that stuff isn’t always the most morally acceptable when created in isolation, but this is different, it is a genuine and transparent partnership platform based on overcoming the biggest social and environmental challenges.

Another key element is the language being used. Volunteering, like CSR and other terminology has an image problem. IMPACT 2030 aims to reframe the debate using ‘human capital investment‘ in place of the more patriarchal terms like pro bono and volunteering, often seen as a cost or superfluous bolt-on activities. To encourage the private sector to significantly increase participation they have to see returns on investment, and in terms they understand and also appeal across the boardroom.

Philanthropy also absolutely has to be part of the equation as there will often be challenges that will never strategically fit investment propositions, but this focus on a more accepted private sector language can only increase awareness and impact.

So, in short, IMPACT 2030 aims to stimulate human capital investment in employees and align with the 17 Global Goals through awareness raising and support. The demonstrations of successes so far were a clear sign that the initiative’s momentum is building.

The standout case study of the Summit was between GSK and SAP combing their data and healthcare expertise to carefully listen to the local needs in Rwanda, map relevant employee skills and deliver a pilot project with Partners in Health within a mere three weeks. IMPACT 2030’s potential for human capital investment leverage is huge within their global remit. “These companies, so far, represent millions of talented people across 220 countries” said Executive Director Dr. Tauni Lanier.

The Mayor of Philadelphia was also in town to share the city-wide story of commitment to IMPACT 2030 and the wider Sustainable Development Goals, with particular emphasis on schools.

The always entertaining, and originally from Liverpool, Sir Ken Robinson shared wonderful insights from a creative and education perspective, even managing to connect the population explosion to the release of Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band!

I understand that IMPACT 2030 is only twelve months old, yet has made significant impacts and collaborations, but I did get a sense that the 99% was being overlooked. I often attend similar events and the reasoning for corporate focus is clear. Scale, or rather the appearance of ability to scale, as this isn’t always the outcome. The business world below the corporate threshold is yet again the audience that scarce available resources are appearing to push too far down the priority list. Approximately 50% of private sector turnover comes from SMEs which also has approximately 60% of employees in many global economies. If we are really going to make the Global Goals mainstream, it is essential that far more consideration is given to engaging with the smaller business community.

IMPACT 2030 will not be a US based ivory tower. A growing army of territory based Regional Voices has been identified to ensure, and trust me, I saw this passion, that the Global Goals become very Local Goals too. By having people on the ground who understand the needs of local communities, acting as advocates, brokering partnerships and reporting measured impact back to a centralised portal the project should deliver results.

The also originally from Liverpool (can you see any patterns here?) IMPACT 2030 Vice Chair, Sue Stephenson perfectly summed up the whole event with the wonderful African proverb

“If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”.

29 arms of recycling innovation robot beautifully presented (of course) and they call it Liam? Only in the world of Apple.

Whilst hastily allowing myself to lose all focus on the writing I should have been doing today I jumped at the chance to join @TomRaftery as guest co-host for his #TechForGood Google Hangout tomorrow. As I explored previous shows to get a feel for my responsibilities I stumbled back across the ‘Liam’ element of Apple’s recent keynote.

The last few weeks have been something of a blur with many new discussions and projects appearing like the Rebel Alliance out of hyperdrive, but all with an eerily connected technology flavour. The Apple announcement was momentarily noted for their strong focus on responsibility at their key communications event of their calendar, before being usurped by the usual social media avalanche.

I’ve been a long standing frustrated critic of Apple, more from a wasted potential perspective than their actual social or environmental accomplishments, which have been markedly improving over recent years. Tim Cook has many achievements to take credit for, as it can’t have been an easy task to push sustainability up the priority list of the culture moulded by Steve Jobs.

Whilst on the day Lisa Jackson (SVP of Environment, Policy and Social Initiatives) was conspicuously front and centre, and the privacy debate raging with the FBI obviously adding its influence, Liam felt like the physical hook of attention for a more confident responsibility ethos away from the usual line-up of product launches.

Yes, I know there are only so many ways you can innovate with a phone, and this could be Apple running out of innovative product steam, but the eternal optimist in me is seeing Apple want to be seen as more than just a purveyor of beautiful ‘stuff’. That beauty could be creeping into their approach to their wider responsibilities.

Liam is an allegedly, as I’ve not seen many at all, 29 arm robot that can in a mere 11 seconds recycle a notoriously difficult product into component parts like never seen before. I’ve dreamed of Apple applying its design mastery for a stronger purpose than just music and communications. Was this it?

Maybe. Maybe not. After all there is only one Liam, I believe, and at full speed, could disassemble 1.2 million iPhones per year. Actually, only potentially 1.2 million iPhone 6s units until they teach it about the rest of their product back catalogue. That total would be in the billions. Last year alone Apple sold 230 million phones.

Innovative? Absolutely. Open source and shareable by the whole industry to reduce e-waste? Probably not going to happen (but hoping). Expensive? Absolutely and certainly prohibitively so. Chances of Apple opening recycling depots full of Liams? Slim. Marketing gimmick or potential for true impact? Actions speak louder than YouTube videos, so we shall see.

With over 1 billion smartphone products alone sold every year. A few weeks after the launch Liam now feels more like a lonely Disney Wall-E type character, desperate for a real purpose, a few friends and more trees, but I continue to hope.

Sometimes projects appear like rabbits being pulled from a magician’s hat. You’re led to think there’s nothing in there and then hey presto, a cute ball of fluff gets dragged out by the ears.

Usually though, you plan like crazy, target your market and go hell for leather building a sales pipeline to regularly still miss out on the fun prizes that you really want. Hands up if you know what I mean? Good. Most of you.

Considerably less often such opportunities find you with a handful of carrots, an empty hutch, a yearning to breed bunnies, and all in your own backyard.

I can’t share too much quite yet, and my usual exuberance is again obviously overriding my (and others who will shout at me) sense of caution here, but I wanted to quickly reach out to those of you I’ve encountered over many years with a similar mindset.